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Klamath County reviews draft to give department heads more emergency authority
Summary
Emergency Management presented a draft update to the county Emergency Operations Plan to allow department heads immediate action during disasters; the board will reconcile legal language, solicit department-head feedback and pursue state and federal review before final approval.
Ian Thigpen, representing Emergency Management, told the Board the county is drafting updates to its Emergency Operations Plan to explicitly delegate certain authorities to department heads so they can take immediate action during disasters, including cyber incidents. The proposed changes would allow department heads to act without seeking prior board approval in narrowly scoped emergency circumstances, Thigpen said.
The Board discussed the need to reconcile language between County Counsel and the District Attorney to ensure continuity of operations; Commissioner Nichols noted the District Attorney’s office must maintain operations during emergencies. Thigpen said department heads have been invited to review the draft baseline and provide feedback. The county intends to refine the language with liaison departments, allow about a year for finalization, and submit the draft to appropriate state and federal reviewers before returning to the Board for approval.
No final action was taken; the Board directed continued stakeholder review and legal reconciliation.
